Write it Now! Get Over the Fear of Publishing Your Writing

How to Get Over the Fear of Writing Your First Hub

How do you get over the fear to write that first hub article? I’m not sure that you totally do, but, at some point, you just finally decide that it’s time. I heard about HubPages six months ago and was immediately interested. I have varied interests and like writing about many different topics. The venue to express myself in writing, along with the possibility for residual income, appealed to me. Yet I continually found a reason to put it off.

What are some of the reasons to stall?

· ·

Read Hubs and Research

I researched HubPages off and on for months. I read through the articles in the Learning Center. I read other hubbers’ articles, including their hubs about writing hubs. These hubs were the most helpful, as they were from actual hubbers, many of whom had the same hesitancy as I did to write that first hub.

Eventually, I started a notebook to jot down ideas for hubs. Several became what could be full-length hubs. Still, I stalled. I would let the idea of hubbing go for a while and then would start again reading and researching hubs.

Choosing Your Hub Name

Choosing a hub name—this really is a big deal, as this is something that can’t be changed once chosen. Do I use my real name? Do I make up something totally random? Do I use a pen name that somehow reflects my own name? This truly is a significant decision. I finally decided on a variation of my real name. It gives me some anonymity, but contains part of my real name and works as a good pen name.

Choosing Your Location

Hmmm....my location? Do I put my hometown, the state, or just a general region in the country where I’m from? How anonymous do I want to be? I finally decided on the state. I waffled on that decision, too, before deciding that it wasn’t big enough of a deal to me to spend more time on.

Writing Topic Ideas

Choosing a Topic

What should be my first topic? Although I had started writing several potential articles for hubs, actually picking that first topic was daunting. What if it’s the only hub I write for a while? And what if people label me because of that first topic—my ONLY topic! Do keep in mind that you CAN go back and revise your published hubs--something I will probably do with this one as I learn more.

Finally Time to Hit that Publish Button!

Trying to know everything there is to know about hubs before writing one—Experienced hubbers will tell you that you can’t do this. There’s too much information to absorb all at once, and trying to learn it all gives you an excuse to put off writing. It did for me.

I did finally decide on a name that I am pleased with. Then I decided on a location, not spending as much time on that. And, here, you have seen my decision as to a first topic: writing about hubs! This topic choice took the pressure off as to what my first topic would be about. I will explore other topics next, now that the hesitancy to publish the first hub is behind me.

But, for now, I can breathe a sigh of relief. I have a name, a location, and a first hub. You can do it, too. Do some research, if you’d like, to make yourself more comfortable. Read others’ hub pages and go to the learning center and questions sections. We’ll learn as we go. At some point, you’ve just got to decide to be brave and jump in. It’s scary, but I’m in now. Join me!

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Comments

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sending

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

You're welcome, Ceres. Keep writing!

Ceres Schwarz

5 years ago

Thanks a lot for your feedback. I appreciate it. And I do hope to be able to publish more hubs soon.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Ceres--Way to go. I checked out your first one, and it looks good! I hope we'll see more from you! :-)

Ceres Schwarz

5 years ago

Hi. Thanks for the welcome. And you're right. It does feel great to finally be able to publish a hub.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Ceres, just do it and you'll feel better! Just that first hub will get you started. Welcome to HubPages!

Ceres Schwarz

5 years ago

I can really relate to this hub. I've been reading all about HubPages and many different hubs before I decided to join. I've been wanting to sign up for HubPages for a while now but, like you said in your hub, I always just seemed to end up putting it off. There was so much more for me to read and research on. And yes, I also took my time deciding on my username. I even thought of possible topics to write about. Now I've finally been able to sign up for HubPages and I've been a member for a few days now. But I have yet to write my first article. I want to but I am worrying about it. Hopefully, I can find the courage to publish my first hub already just like you did. Thanks for this article. I'm glad to know that there are also others who worried about posting their first hub.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Faith Reaper--I think it will surely make a difference over time to be correct with grammar and spelling, whether it's in gaining reader's respect or making a good impression over all. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Faith Reaper

6 years agofrom southern USA

Excellent hub, Victoria Lynn. Very insightful. It is interesting that I have noticed high-scoring hubbers with terrible grammar and words spelled wrong or just typos, and they get high scores all time. So, I've been wondering how much of a difference it actually makes. I can understand on a comment when it is late, but in a published hub, one should not see that much. I guess the score is not based on just that, obviously. Thanks for sharing these great tips. In His Love, Faith Reaper

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Sarah Christina--Just jump in. You can always revise a hub. Do the best you can. You will feel better once you get started. It took me MONTHS to finally hit the publish button!

Sarah C Nason

6 years agofrom Fresno, CA

This is exactly how I feel! I just joined HubPages a few days ago, after spending weeks trying to decide which blogging website to start writing at.

All I've been doing is reading about writing a good hub, but I'm afraid to start writing and publish one because I've become overwhelmed by all the info. I will take your advice and just jump in already...I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist and worry about everything being perfect from the start. Thank you for this article, I don't feel so alone now that I see others feel the same, which gives me more confidence that I can do it!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, smga! I appreciate that. I hope you are enjoying HubPages!

smga22

6 years agofrom Dhaka, Bangladesh

Excellent Hub, Looking forward to more... :)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, Audra. I appreciate that. That first hub sure was scary to publish! Seems like so long ago yet just yesterday!

iamaudraleigh

6 years ago

Your first hub was very good! You came a long way and captured the hup pages readers by storm! Nice job!!!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

ACV--Get started! Just write that first hub and your fears will lessen greatly!

Amy

6 years agofrom Philippines

Hey!? Lynn...this hub is really pretty helpful... I am on the point still having fear to write or start a hub. Good hub Lynn ;)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

You are so welcome, madmachio. I hope the information helped!

Nathan K

6 years agofrom Kansas

Thanks for the info!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Jacquichakra--That's awesome! I'm glad this hub could inspire someone to get started. I kept putting it off. I was so nervous when I finally hit "publish now." It's exciting, though. Go for it. And the best of luck!

Jacquichakra

6 years agofrom Queens, NY

Thank You Victoria Lynn. I am so afraid to start my first hub and now I feel its time to write. you have encouraged me ... :)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Glad it was helpful, ACV!

Amy

7 years agofrom Philippines

informative and helpful:)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Lessie--Hitting the publish button for the first time is nerve-wracking! And, yes, it feels so good once we do! I started with a pen name, but i later did add my real name on my profile page. It's so scary at first. Thanks for the vote. And I wish you the best!

Lissie Loomes

7 years agofrom Tasmania, Australia

Victoria I can relate to this hub. As you will see from my profile I joined and it took me 10 months to find the courage to hit the 'Publish" button! What a sense of achievement when I did. I, too, procrastinated for quite some time about whether I should use a pen name or not, but decided I would test the waters first before jumping in under my own name! Time will tell. Am working on my next hubs on completely different topics to test which are the most popular. Thanks for all the 'newbie' information, there certainly is a lot to learn. Maybe my vote up will keep you above the 100 mark.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Turtlewoman--Glad you can relate. That is just how I felt, too! It was an awesome feeling to finally publish that first hub and start getting comments.

Kim Lam

7 years agofrom California

I felt the same way. Signed up for Hubpages 4 weeks ago and finally published my first hub today. My eyes lit up when I saw my first comment too! Quite exhilarating!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Yes, MizBejabbers, just do it! If you've been reading hubs for a while, you're probably ready, I would think. And remember, you can always go back and revise. I sure have! Go for it!

Doris James-MizBejabbers

7 years agofrom Beautiful South

I think you've hit upon my problem: Newbie jitters. It won't be long before I can't be called a newbie. I guess I'd better get those hubs published. Thanks for the inspiration!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, Sharyn! I did research a lot. I was scared! Yeah, and choosing the name was a big deal. I'm happy with mine, just as you are with yours. I can see now that I need to revise this hub by separating the content into more capsules with the bold titles. It never ends, does it? Thanks for reading my first hub!

Sharon Smith

7 years agofrom Northeast Ohio USA

Vicki, I loved this first hub. Gosh, you took so much time to research before actually publishing the first one. I give you a lot of credit. I only waited a couple days :) I bet there are many reasons I should have waited. I believe I spent way too much time choosing a name, but I like what I decided to go with - the slant.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Come on, new hubbers! Write, write, write!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

I still feel pretty nervous about hitting the publish button sometimes, Cutters, but we've gotta just go for it, huh? Thanks for reading this one!

Cutters

7 years agofrom South Carolina

I am so afraid to post my first hub I black out with a panic attack. I close my eyes and I hope I hit the submit key with my blind eyes. I am so horrified of the feedback I will get. But I am over that now, I do not fear any more. I take the good with the bad. Thanks for the Hub Fun as always!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, weestro. Looks like you've done well, too, in your short time here. I just read one of your hubs and enjoyed it very much. I like your outlook, perspective....I look forward to reading more. Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Pete Fanning

7 years agofrom Virginia

Great Hub! I felt the same way, looks like you've done very well!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, chrisma01. Glad you liked it. I still feel like a newbie, so I love anything I can do to help the even newer folks!

JT--You were a big help in the beginning when I had all kinds of questions. Thanks for your patience and your willingness to always answer my questions. You've been impressive with the amount of hubs you've written!

Lord--Yes, we've come a long way! I've enjoyed bumping into you here at the HUB and getting to read your work. Bless you, as well!!!

Joseph De Cross

7 years agofrom New York

Hi Victoria!

As for myself, I signed and joined in on last April but..put it off until July. But like you... We've come a long way dear...God bless you my friend! VOTING YOU UP!

LORD

JT Walters

7 years agofrom Florida

HI Victoria Lynn,

You have come a long way in a short amount of time. I remember you in the beginning and you are a seasoned writer now. Congratulations.

JT

chrisam01

7 years agofrom Los Angeles, California, USA

Way to keep the ball rolling, Victoria Lynn! I'm kind of a newbie here so I appreciate the chance to see some things that I've missed.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

I'm following saddleider's suggestions to share some of our first hubs with the newbies here. This is the very first one I wrote after months of being scared to death to do so!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, pinay! Sorry I'm late in responding. How did your first hub go???

pinaythoughts

7 years agofrom Philippines

very well written :)

i just had my hubpage too and i am hesitant with what to write first.. yes, it's a relief to finally have it published whatever the outcome..

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

7 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks so much, thejeffriestube. I really appreciate your comment !Glad to be here! This is going to be quite a journey!

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